Medze: Nature, Birdwatching and Cultural Heritage

Medze includes dry and moderately moist meadows, patches of woodland and agricultural land. The Medze area was established to protect a former shoreline formation of the Baltic Ice Lake; numerous rare and specially protected plant species have been recorded there. Lake Tāšu is on the list of Important Bird Areas.

The steep shore of the former Baltic Ice Lake stretches across the entire Medze parish administrative district in the area around Medze. It is about 12 kilometres long and reaches around 30 metres in height in some places. From the steep shore, you can look across the coastal plain towards the Baltic Sea. Another natural monument in the area is Kapsēdes dižakmens: the protected boulder is 4.3 metres high. It is distinct from Kapsēdes Rudais akmens, which is considered an archaeologically significant cup-marked stone, with at least seven cup marks carved into it.

The birdwatching route at Lake Tāšu is 8.5 kilometres long. According to the official route description, cycling and driving are particularly suitable ways to cover the route; it can also be walked in shorter sections. The lake’s inclusion on the list of Important Bird Areas identifies it as an ornithologically significant area.

At Maztāši on Lake Tāšu, there is a shelter for undisturbed birdwatching and protection from adverse weather. Maztāši also provides boats for fishing. Visits should be arranged in advance. This makes it possible to distinguish between two different activities at the lake: birdwatching and fishing.

The Medze windmills were built in 1868. Only the remains of their walls survive today, and they have been roofed over. Tāšu (Telses) Manor was first mentioned in written sources in 1501. Baroque fireplaces and a stone main portal have been preserved there. Visitors can learn about restoration work and the history of the manor by arranging a visit in advance.

Kapsēde Manor was first mentioned in a document on 30 November 1404. This date marks its first written mention, not the year it was built. The construction date and location of Medze Manor should also be considered separately: the manor building was built in the 19th century, and the manor is located on Medze Castle Hill, in the area of the steep shore of the former Baltic Ice Lake. The dates therefore refer to different things: the first mentions of Tāšu and Kapsēde, the construction of the windmills, and the construction date of the Medze Manor building.

Discover more destinations: Grobiņa, Dubeņi, Bārta.

How long is the birdwatching route at Lake Tāšu?

The route is 8.5 kilometres long. It can be walked in shorter sections; according to the route description, cycling and driving are particularly suitable ways to cover it.

How can you learn about Tāšu Manor?

Visitors can learn about restoration work and the history of the manor by arranging a visit in advance.

What is the difference between the historic dates associated with the manors?

For Tāšu, 1501 is the date of its first written mention; for Kapsēde, it is 30 November 1404. By contrast, the Medze Manor building was built in the 19th century.

For the broader travel overview: Grobiņa Municipality.